ALLEGANY, N.Y. — The School of Franciscan Studies at St. Bonaventure University has announced its summer course schedule.
“The summer session is a unique time in the academic year of the School of Franciscan studies, combining intense study, joyful prayer and cross-cultural interaction with members of the Franciscan family who come from around the world to learn of the movement started by Francis and Clare of Assisi,” according to the organization’s website.
Classes begin June 23 and end July 25, with duration depending on the course. Summer enrichment courses last for five days, while Franciscan Institute courses last for two or three weeks.
Four summer enrichment courses are being offered this year:
• “Franciscan Sources, New Translations, New Insights” taught by Br. William Short, OFM
• “Leading in the 21st Century — Making Better Social Worlds: Lessons from Francis and Clare of Assisi” taught by Pauline Albert
• “On Being ‘Church’ in the 21st Century: A Conversation from Within the Franciscan Tradition” taught by William McConville, OFM, of Raleigh, N.C.
• “The Franciscans in America: Historical Retrospectives” by Fr. Jack Clark Robinson, OFM
The 2014 Franciscan Institute courses — which can be audited or taken for credits — are the following:
• “The Franciscan Christological Tradition” taught by Fr. Frank Lane
• “Image of God: Christ, Creation, Humanity (A Franciscan Vision)” taught by Br. Johannes Freyer, OFM
• “Franciscan Spirituality” taught by Fr. Michael Higgins, TOR
• “Forming the Franciscan Imagination” taught by Fr. David Couturier, OFM Cap.
• “Francis: His Life and Charism” taught by Mary Meany
• “Survey of Franciscan History” taught by Fr. Michael Cusato, OFM
This year’s “Formation Roundtable” class, a guided reflective seminar for men and women in initial formation, will be taught by Fr. Jack Rathschmidt, OFM Cap. More information about the summer programs — including cost and registration details — can be found on the university’s website.
The School of Franciscan Studies’ staff includes Kyle Haden, OFM, a visiting assistant professor. Gary Maciag, OFM, serves as director of operations for the Franciscan Institute, and F. Edward Coughlin, OFM, serves as vice president for Franciscan mission at St. Bonaventure University.
For those who don’t wish to wait until the summer to continue their Franciscan education, the 10th Franciscan Forum will be held March 27 to 30 at the Franciscan Retreat Center at Mount St. Francis, Colorado Springs, Colo. Registration for the event can be completed online. Full payment is due March 1, 2014.
— Maria Hayes is communications coordinator for Holy Name Province. The above image was created by David Haack, OFM.